Tag : public relations

Here’s a weird story to kick off the new year. Over one billion litres of water have been wasted at a construction site in West Vancouver when an aquifer was breached by an inexperienced drilling team, who then fled the country! It has taken 15 months for repairs to even get to this point, which apparently is incredibly complex, and water is still leaking. So far it’s cost the city nearly $3M.

Canada:

Now’s the time of year to watch out for potential scammers, with Canada Post warning Canadians that mail-forwarding fraud saw a big increase last year. Essentially scammers redirect your mail to new addresses, gathering information from bills and credit card statements. Although, how much mail are you actually getting these days? Scammers would just be getting my Domino’s pizza coupons and real estate junk mail.

US:

We are T-minus 17 days from the Trump Presidential inauguration (yes this is actually happening, you didn’t get to leave that behind in 2016, decisions have consequences so enjoy this one for the next four years). Morgan Stanley is cautioning a volatile stock market in the year ahead with uncertainty in many areas of the economy.

International:

Finland is one of the first countries to launch a universal basic income trial, giving more than 2,000 people a general monthly income of around $600 a month tax-free. UBI is being talked about as a potential globally, with programs in the Netherlands, Uganda and Canada rolling out this year as well.

Tech:

What’s one piece of technology that everyone hates? The printer. With all our complex advancements in tech, the printer has remained relatively unchanged, and hated, for years. Now a new printer has appeared offering inkless printing through the use of infrared beams and could totally revamp printing. You still may have to deal with paper jams though.

Science:

New research into the incubation period of dinosaur eggs may help understand why they went extinct. It is entirely possible that it took up to six months for dino eggs to hatch, putting them at a distinct disadvantage to faster breeding animals.This was a stroke of luck for us, imagine rush hour traffic with brontosaurus’ roaming around? Think about it.

Entertainment:

I honestly can’t think of a better way for 2016 to have ended than with the giant Mariah Carey bomb at Times Square. I really don’t care whose fault it was, watching Mariah crash and burn with style was the physical representation of the year.

Crisis management is often considered when the worst has already happened. Whether you’re a CEO of a multi-national corporation or the sole proprietor of a modest startup, there’s always the potential for mistakes that can have a negative impact on your branding. Crisis management is best leveraged when it’s implemented proactively. The process of planning, implementing and reviewing all the necessary facts can help mitigate the damage from bad PR when a disaster takes place. Take these five tips to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

1. Create a Crisis Communication Plan

They say preventative medicine is the best way to stay out of the hospital, the same can be said for your image. Drafting a crisis communication plan will not only give you a reference point for when things are in panic mode, but also differentiate a minor scenario from major so you can plan accordingly. Not only will you be well equipped in the event of a mishap, but also employees will have confidence knowing how to handle the press and what not to say on social media.

2. Assign a Spokesperson & Practice

While some owners are stellar entrepreneurs, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are prepared for the media spotlight; speaking in front of investors or a boardroom is not the same as handling the press. All it takes is a slip of the tongue to land the company in more hot water than it began in. Assign a spokesperson that is knowledgeable in best interview practices and can stay on message. Be sure to practice in advance to prepare for any difficult questions.

3. Assess Potential Damage & How To Mitigate Public Reaction

When a crisis hits it can be instinctual to act as quickly as possible to put out the fire. While it is certainly important to handle a crisis in a prompt manner, it’s equally important to take time to get the facts and the full picture to devise the right go-to-public strategy. Grab your team and run through how you want your brand to be presented in the public eye along with any tricky questions that might be asked.

4. Timeliness & Accuracy

In the event of a slip-up, it’s best to tackle the issue head-on rather than hoping it ‘boils over.’ While public reactions will change based on the issue itself, there could be a firestorm of negative reactions in media and social media already taking place. Do a thorough review of the information and respond quickly to ensure rumours don’t muzzle the truth. The public will appreciate transparency and a swift response. Remember that by not providing information, you’re allowing speculation and inaccuracy to dominate the conversation.

5. Post-Incident Review & Adjust Accordingly

After the smoke clears, brush off the debris and ask what can we improve on for next time? Having a post-analysis of the situation will identify what you did right or wrong so you can be prepared for any future issues. Try having a brainstorming session with your team to hash out what should be included for next time so everyone has a better understanding of crisis management next time it’s needed.

As managing director of Brix Media Co., a Vancouver tech PR firm that specializes in both technology PR and fashion PR, I often get asked which industry I’m more drawn to. Truth is, I no longer have to choose. Like almost every other sector, fashion has embraced technology and at the cross section are some of the most innovative products that add functionality and enhance day-to-day life.

Last April, Apple Watch presented a slick-looking multi-functional design that style-conscious men and women would actually wear. The accessible price-point generated a new wave of curiosity in the future of wearables.

From street-style mainstays to complex 3D prints and the integration of virtual reality, here are four products that exemplify what the future holds for tech-inspired fashion:

“Pretty” might not be the first adjective to describe Ringly, the latest in smart jewelry, albeit the design is beautiful. Disguised as a classic sapphire ring, when slipped on it pairs immediately with your iOS or Android device. With a recent investment of $5.1 million, Ringly’s ability to track incoming calls, messages and emails is growing in popularity.

Fit for an occasion yet to be determined, a dress debuted by Columbia designer Maria Orduz Pinto at this year’s CES was decorated with handmade fabric flowers that deflect light and 3D printed flowers and optic fibers that react to sound. Driven by a $20 billion business, the tech-luxury space aims to make clothing beautiful, functional and long lasting.

Swedish designer Ida Klamborn is breaking down the elitist culture of Fashion Week Stockholm with the introduction of a 360 virtual reality (VR) technology. “Democratic Front Row” invites fans from around the world to experience Ida’s runway show, via their mobiles, from a seat in the front row. Located next to the stage, a robot installation will capture the 360-degree view for those tuning in via VR, a view typically reserved for fashion elites and celebrities. Still not impressed? The robot will light up based on the reaction of the fans watching.

Tech-luxury with an ethical twist sounds promising although in this case it means choosing to wear a bikini that absorbs pollution. The sponge bikini, developed by a New York architecture and design studio Eray Carbaj for a wearable technology competition, is made from a material that repels water and absorbs oil. The lightweight sponge material can absorb up to 25 times its own weight.

The integration of technology and fashion is far from evolved but fashion and design icons are encouraging the process. Von Furstenberg’s upcoming collection of handbags will be outfitted with hidden built-in chargers and Iris Apfel has teamed up with WiseWear’s Socialite collection, a line of fashionable metal jewelry that tracks fitness, receives mobile alerts and sends distress signals to emergency contacts.

The fascination with tech-savvy fashion will continue to grow throughout 2016 as world-class events like The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Gala and Costume Institute exhibition run with themes such as “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.”

Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Brix Media Co. Founder and CEO Jennifer Maloney Adab, who we caught up with to find out what inspired her innovative company and what advice she would share with other young professionals…

WORK

Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.I run Canada’s first PR and influencer marketing agency focused on social innovation.

What was the inspiration for your career route?Human behaviour has always intrigued me. As a former journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about people and their ideas from all walks of life. I realized early on I had a passion for leveraging media to connect others to meaningful stories and life lessons. This has been the inspiration behind my PR career as well.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?One of the most memorable was organizing a press conference for Deepak Chopra to launch the world’s first Chopra Yoga Centre. Working with him affirmed that personal values and principles don’t need to be separated from business.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?I’m about to embark on my most daring venture to date – being a mom, which I think will greatly alter my goals and perspective. In five years I hope I have set an example for my son that you can achieve anything you want in life. The hard, but also fun part is being true to oneself and discovering what that is.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?I think it’s a great time to be young and ambitious because there are so many opportunities to connect, collaborate and communicate with like-minded people around the world. My advice would be to take the route that’s right for you over what is popular opinion. To truly become successful, you need to follow your own path.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?I sit on the board for two non-profits. One is Raw Beauty Talks, which promotes the mental and physical health of girls and young women. The other is the Young Entrepreneurs Leadership Launchpad, which promotes entrepreneurial thinking in high schools.

What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?Launching Brix Media Co. has been the biggest risk and challenge I’ve undertaken to date. It meant leaving the security of the brand I had spent three years building and trusting in my team and our collective vision to build something new. There were many hurdles in getting it off the ground, but they were all overcome through teamwork and realizing I had an amazing support system to help me on some of the hardest days.

What does the word notable mean to you?I associate it with “worth paying attention to.” Living in an era of information overload, we increasingly rely on trusted sources to tell us what is worth our time and attention.

PLAY

Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?We’re spoiled with restaurants in Vancouver so it’s hard to choose one. I recently went to AnnaLena in Kits and it’s at the top of my “must go back” list.

What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?Website: Google

Song: One Man Can Change the World byBig Sean & Kanye West.

Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?@dobbiesandlittlepawrescue – We have an Doberman who came from a shelter. This site makes me want to adopt 20 more.

What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?Brazil is one of my favourite countries. All the restaurants have meals made for two people. That tells you something about the warmth of their culture. I really need to make it to Pondicherry in India. There’s an ashram I’m dying to visit there.

What gives you the greatest FOMO?My husband travels to LA a lot for work and I always think this somehow involves pool and mojito time, which give me FOMO. He assures me this is not the case.

Fashion trends, Vancouver Startup Week, and business growth were key topics of conversation this past month. See how some of our clients tie into these conversations.

Vancouver Fashion PR

Michelle Lane – senior designer and stylist at Clearly.ca shares her top picks for the season on Brazen Woman. For those of us subjecting our eyes to screen glare for long periods of time, blogger Jamie Leigh reviews Clearly’s protective, yet stylish Blue Reflect lenses.

Vancouver Tech PR

Vancouver Startup Week attracted tech fans between September 21 and 25th. The Vancouver Economic Commission hosted #VanStartupCity at the Imperial to support Vancouver’s local startup ecosystem. Watch Sean Elbe on Breakfast Television as he celebrates local tech and recent success stories in the adventure and tech space including ShareShed, RentMoola, and Tinkerine. StartupCity events were also featured on CKNW, Vancouver Magazine and Business in Vancouver.

US Tech PR

At the European Cancer Congress in Vienna, OncoSec Medical announced positive results from the very first trial to combine merkel cell carcinoma with immunotherapy through its proprietary ImmunoPulse treatment.

Fin Tech PR

In the last week of September, Canadian entrepreneur Hamed Shahbazi was featured on Business News Network. As CEO of software company TIO Networks, he discusses the company’s rapid growth strategy, how it is competing in the United States, and its thoughts on national fintech players like PayPal.

Get ready to shout-sing “Livin’ On A Prayer,” Vancouver. A Bon Jovi Vancouver concert is coming!

Rock superstar Jon Bon Jovi and The Kings of Suburbia will be playing a concert at Stanley Park’s Brockton Point on August 22.

UPDATE – June 12, 2015: Paper Rain Performances, a concert promoter in Vancouver, announced Jon Bon Jovi will kick off the Urban Forest concert series, which is based on presenting “the world’s greatest artists in the world’s grandest outdoor venues.”

The company will donate up to $100,000 of profit from ticket sales to imagine1day, a charity that works to connect people in Ethiopia to quality education free of foreign aid by 2030. The non-profit group was created by Lululemon founders Chip and Shannon Wilson in 2007.

The promoters of a summer concert in Stanley Park aren’t ready to reveal which “rock legend” will headline their show — but the photo they’re using in their advertising campaign is Jon Bon Jovi.

Although Paper Rain Performances play coy in online ads for An Urban Forest Concert: An Evening With A Rock Legend by not naming the headliner for the Aug. 22 show at Brockton Field, the Vancouver Sun has learned that it will be Jon Bon Jovi. . . .

Getting exposure for a project you’ve sacrificed sleep, money and social time for may seem like the highest priority right before launch. The problem is most startup budgets won’t bank a clever publicity campaign or a high-end PR firm.

Luckily there are low-cost ways to generate interest in your business before sales start percolating. . . .